The Dover School District strives to meet the unique needs of students whose first language is not English. All new students complete a Home Language Survey at the time of enrollment. This form is used to identify students whose primary home language is a language other than English. Those students who need additional educational support in the areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing will be provided instruction through the English as a Second Language program in addition to their participation in the regular education program.
The Dover School Board adopted the following ESL Mission statement in 1995: “In order to provide equitable, quality education for all Language Minority and Limited English proficient students in the Dover School District, we pledge to provide prompt identification; appropriate, formal assessment; equitable placement; comprehensible, comparable instruction; modifications in materials, instruction, assessment and scheduling to insure equal opportunity of the entire educational system of our district. We pledge to promote parental involvement as well as sensitivity to cultural differences. We pledge continued training efforts in English Second Language instruction and techniques.”
Under federal law, state and local educational agencies are required to provide all children with equal access to public education at the elementary and secondary level. To comply with federal civil rights laws, as well as the mandates of the Supreme Court, school districts must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin, and students must not be barred from enrolling in public schools at the elementary and secondary level on the basis of their own citizenship or immigration status of their parents or guardians.
ESL (English as a Second Language) services are provided for K-12 students under the direction of certified teachers. These services include pull-out, inclusion, transition, and also monitoring for students who have exited the ESL program.